Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resources

Tags: coronavirus, TAFP, Texas academy of family physicians, public health, COVID-19

Friday, February 28, 2020 4:24:00 PM

As more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed, family physicians should focus on preparation and prevention. Patients will likely have questions and concerns, and you may experience an increase in patients with respiratory symptoms. Now is the time to prepare yourself and your practice for the possibility that the virus will spread. TAFP will share resources as this situation evolves.

The Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 resource page for health professionals includes criteria to guide testing for persons under investigation, a health care professional preparedness checklist, and information about personal protective equipment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established a site to house information about the virus as it is discovered.

The American Academy of Family Physicians has published a collection of resources intended for family physicians that come mostly from the CDC including clinical criteria for identifying COVID-19, patient education materials, information on community preparation for the potential spread of the virus, and more.

The Texas Medical Association, has published a webpage for news and resources especially for physicians in Texas, which includes information on how to collect, handle, and test clinical specimens from persons under investigation of having COVID-19, how to evaluate and report patients who are under investigation for being infected or who have been confirmed to have the virus by a laboratory, what health care personnel should know about caring for those patients, and much more.

Telemedicine information from TMA
Want to know more about using telemedicine in the midst of this pandemic? Our friends at TMA are updating this page with the latest information on Medicare and Medicaid rules, plus a chart of payment policies announced by major insurers.

Houston family practice encounters COVID-19

Lessons learned: A conversation with Clive Fields, MD, of VillageMD

Texas Local Public Health Organizations – Access a list of Local Health Departments, Public Health Districts and Local Health Units in Texas, complete with contact information.

AAFP COVID-19 Rapid Response Member Exchange
Join this AAFP member exchange to engage in conversations with family physicians across the country.

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